State courts offer instructions for divorce without a lawyer

Iowa is a "no-fault" divorce state and now the Iowa Supreme Court is offering some divorcing couples a "no-hassle" option. State law says Iowans do not have to cite a reason for seeking a divorce. Now, divorcing couples in Iowa who do not have to resolve child custody issues and who don’t want to quibble over the splitting of their assets have a new option — a sort of "attorney-free" divorce.

State court officials have drawn up forms which divorcing couples can fill out and submit in person at a clerk of court’s office. It means the couple is essentially representing themselves in court, so they don’t have to hire a lawyer to do the paperwork.

Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice Marcia Ternus says the self-help forms "will help people navigate through Iowa’s divorce laws" and help ensure that Iowans who can’t afford a lawyer can still get a divorce. The forms are available on the Iowa Judicial Branch’s website .